How Do You Know If You Are Having a Delayed Reaction to a Bee Sting?

Symptoms of a delayed reaction to a bee sting include fever, itching, rash, joint pain and fatigue. Clotting disorders and Inflammation of the brain, nerves or kidneys can also be signs of a delayed reaction. Other symptoms may occur and can vary from person to person.

Serum sickness is a type of delayed sting reaction that includes systemic symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, fever, rash and joint pain. Headache, malaise or generally feeling bad, and hives are also possible with serum sickness. These symptoms typically start one week to 10 days after the bee sting. This delayed reaction is caused by the body's response to the bee's venom.

Other symptoms of a delayed reaction may include encephalitis, vasculitis or nephritis. The inflammation of the brain, nerves or kidneys is also a result of the body's interaction with the poison from the sting. Problems with the blood's ability to clot can occur as well.

Delayed reactions are rare and occur in less than 1 percent of sting victims, but they still can be serious. An individual's medical history and health status impact whether a delayed reaction occurs or not. Seek medical attention for treatment if signs of a delayed reaction occur.